Dutch national coach Ronald Koeman defended his tactics and substitutions after Dutch hopes of victory in their World Cup opener were thwarted by a late Japanese goal in the 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Two well-taken goals from captain Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville either side of Keito Nakamura’s conversion gave the Netherlands the lead twice, but a deflected strike from Daichi Kamada two minutes from time ensured the spoils were shared.
Six minutes after Summerville’s 64th minute goal, Koeman took off the winger in a three-way substitution and later added a third centre-back in Nathan Aké.
The more defensive position failed, however, with Japan seizing the initiative and Ogawa firing a header towards goal to set up Kamada’s equalizing deflection.
READ ALSO | Who is Crysencio Summerville, goalscorer for the Netherlands against Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
However, Koeman said he did not regret his tactics and that poor defending was to blame.
«There was also a problem with the pressure on the flanks. So if you look at the game, both goals, we didn’t defend well,» he told reporters.
“Football is a funny game because after Japan scored the second goal, they also started defending.
«So we could have scored a third goal. So I don’t regret my choices.»
A day after declaring Memphis Depay fit to start after recent thigh problems, Koeman brought the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer off the bench in the second half to replace the lively Donyell Malen.
Depay received a yellow card for a serious foul and was unable to make a difference.
The Netherlands, Qatar 2022 quarter-finalists, have almost a week’s break before facing Sweden in their second Group F match in Houston.
Koeman said the Netherlands played at a “minimal level” against the Japanese and accused the media of underestimating their Asian opponents.
“Of course we can perform better and we have to grow during the tournament,” he said.
“This was definitely not our best performance.
«Of course we would have preferred to win the first game. We expected that too.»
Published on June 15, 2026
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